EVALUATION OF AUDITORY BRAIN STEM FUNCTION IN ELDERLY TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS WITH SENILE PRESBYCUSIS.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing function and possible correlations between alternations of the auditory brain stem function in elderly type 2 DM with presbycusis and to compare the data with elderly healthy non-diabetic controls with presbycusis.

Material and method: All subjects were submitted to full audiological history taking, ontological, basic audiological evaluation and auditory brainstem response audiometry, which were recorded in both ears followed by calculation of the absolute latencies as well as interpeak latencies. This study was done in 35 elderly type 2 DM subjects with presbycusis and 35 non-diabetic presbycusis. Control and experimental group was compared for Speech Recognition threshold and speech Discrimination threshold along with absolute latencies of wave I, III and V, as well as interpeak latencies I-III, III-V, I-V under electrophysiological measure.

Study Design and statistics: Experimental study was used for this study where two groups were compared for different variables.

Results: Elderly type 2 DM with presbycusis patients showed statistical significant both SRT and SDS (P < 0.05) as compared with non-diabetic group. The absolute latencies of wave I, III & V are significantly more in diabetic group as compared to non-diabetic group. Interpeak latencies of wave I-III are more in diabetic group as compared to non-diabetic group, but are not significantly different (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: It seems that ABR test should be the mandatory test for diagnosis of any auditory alterations and periodic evaluation on diabetic patients for treatment and intervention regarding metabolic regulations.

Keywords: Brainstem-evoked response audiometry. type 2 diabetes mellitus. senile presbycusis. elderly group.